Application of silver nanoparticles in the treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic effect of silver nanoparticles in the treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). After the establishment of CSC in New Zealand rabbits (n = 128), the animals were treated with iodized lecithin tablets by gavage (ILT only, n = 64) or ILT gavage followed by injection of silver nanoparticles into the vitreous cavity (SN, n = 64). The sum retinal layer thickness of SN group before gavage was lower than that of ILT group, and the total retinal thickness of SN group after gavage was also lower than that of ILT group. There were interaction effects between groups and time (Fgroup effect = 42.570, Ftime effect = 19.250, Finteraction effect = 2.885, all P < 0.05). Electroretinograms showed lower peak latency in oscillatory potential (OP1, OP2, and OP3) in the SN group than in the ILT group before and after gavage (intergroup effect: F1 = 40.280, F2 = 52.760, F3 = 133.700; time effect: F1 = 10.330, F2 = 9.082, F3 = 93.760; interaction effects: F1 = 4.204, F2 = 3.059, F3 = 12.260; all P < 0.05). The b-wave amplitudes and total amplitudes were higher in the SN group than in the ILT group before and after gavage (intergroup effect: F1 = 10.540, F2 = 13.270; time effect: F1 = 25.910, F2 = 35.120; interaction effects: F1 = 2.817, F2 = 5.264; all P < 0.05). No significant differences in intraocular pressure were observed, and there were no interaction effects (Fintergroup effect = 0.046, Ftime effect = 0.001, Finteraction effect = 0.027, all P > 0.05). We conclude that silver nanoparticles provide a significant therapeutic effect on CSC in rabbits, ensuring the integrity of retinal morphology, structure, function, and limiting damage to visual function.